Protocol for local chickpea production in Antalya

ANTALYA, (DHA) – ANTALYA Commodity Exchange (ATB) signed a protocol with the Batı Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute Directorate (BATEM) for the implementation of the ‘From Our Local Chickpea Gene Source to Culinary and Chickpea Varieties Project’.

Antalya Commodity Exchange Chairman of the Board of Directors Ali Çandır and BATEM Director Dr. At the protocol ceremony attended by Abdullah Ünlü, ATB Council Member Ahmet Yılmaz, BATEM Deputy Directors Mustafa Soysal and Assoc. Dr. Cengiz Erdurmuş was also present. ATB President Çandır stated that they prepared a protocol for the adaptation and dissemination of new chickpea varieties and development of regional varieties and said, “In the project to be carried out within the scope of the protocol, our local genetic resources will be used in chickpeas. Because our local genetic resources are the insurance of our country’s agriculture,” he said.

Stating that they aim to increase chickpea production with the project, contribute to on-site employment, ensure value-added and sustainable production, and reach quality protein and carbohydrate sources, Çandır said, “The reason why we chose the chickpea plant in Elmalı is that although Elmalı has been the leader in chickpea production in our country for many years, it has recently It has lost this position over the years. Our biggest goal is to increase the yield per unit area in chickpea production, which is decreasing day by day, and to develop trade. “I hope that the R&D created will turn into production and trade,” he said.

Noting that the project will be an example throughout the country, Çandır said, “I would like to thank our BATEM Manager and our friends who will take part in the project on his behalf, ATB Committee and council members, and our colleagues who will take part in the project on behalf of ATB for their efforts.” Stating that the cooperation between institutions will continue, Çandır emphasized that the academic knowledge, experience and skills of BATEM, which celebrates its 91st anniversary, are important for Turkish agriculture.

LOCAL CHICKPEAS UNIQUE TO THE REGION WILL BE DEVELOPED

BATEM Director Abdullah Ünlü reminded that they had worked with Antalya Commodity Exchange in many fields such as wheat and medicinal aromatic plants in the past, and noted that they signed a protocol to increase the production ability of the region in chickpea production. Stating that they are working to develop a local genetically derived chickpea variety at BATEM, Ünlü said, “With the local genetically derived chickpea line we developed with the support of our stock exchange, we will develop local varieties suitable for the region. “We will serve our regional farmers by extracting local chickpea populations specific to Antalya,” he said.

Ünlü said, “ATB President Mr. Ali Çandır paves the way for us in every issue and leads us. We work together to develop the agriculture of Antalya and the country. I would like to thank them and their team very much. “I hope the protocol will be beneficial,” he said.

WITH PHOTO